In this blog post, we will discuss everything there is to know about the MCS-150biennial update, the process to apply for LLC in Idaho, and the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse registration process. 

What is The MCS-150 Biennial Update? 

All entities that fall within the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) are legally required to update their information once every two years. This also applies to all companies, including those that have not changed any information in two years, those that have stopped interstate operations since their previous update, and those which are not in business anymore but have not yet notified the FMCSA. 

If you don’t provide a complete Biennial Update every two years, your USDOT number will get deactivated, and you can get civil penalties of $1,000 per day; however the maximum amount of penalties cannot surpass $10,000. 

You can update your information for free, online. Everyintermodal equipment provider or motor carrier is required to file the legal forms: 1) before it starts business, and 2) every 24 months as per the following schedule: 

· If the USDOT number ends in 1, you must fileupdate by last day of January 

· If the USDOT number ends in 2, you must fileupdate by last day of February 

· If the USDOT number ends in 3, you must fileupdate by last day of March 

· If the USDOT number ends in 4, you must fileupdate by last day of April 

· If the USDOT number ends in 5, you must fileupdate by last day of May 

· If the USDOT number ends in 6, you must fileupdate by last day of June 

· If the USDOT number ends in 7, you must fileupdate by last day of July 

· If the USDOT number ends in 8, you must fileupdate by last day of August 

· If the USDOT number ends in 9, you must fileupdate by last day of September 

· If the USDOT number ends in 0, you must fileupdate by last day of October 

If the next to last digit of your USDOT number is odd, the intermodal equipment provider or motor carrier will have to file updates in every odd-numbered calendar year. If the next to last digit of the USDOT number is even, the intermodal equipment provider or motor carrier will have to file updates in every even-numbered calendar year. 

Now that you get what the Biennial Update is all about, let’s discuss the MCS-150. 

What is The MCS-150? 

The Motor Carrier Identification Report (MCS-150) is basically aform you fill out to receive as well as update your USDOT number. You provide specific information about your business to the FMCSA in this form, such as the number of vehicles you have in your fleet, your mileage, and you are categorized as a hazardous materials carrier or a passenger vehicle. This will help the FMCSA verify whether or not the information against your USDOT number is correct. 

All motor carriers having a USDOT number are required tofile the MCS-150 Biennial Update. If you makesome changes in your business, like adding more trucks to your fleet, or changing your company name, you need to update them at that instance as well. 

If you fail to file your MCS-150 Biennial Update in time, you will be charged with a fine of $1,000per day, along with deactivation of your USDOT number. To figure out when your
update is due, you will need to have your DOT number, because the last two
digits are used to determine it.  

How to Apply for LLC in Idaho 

You can learn thegeneral steps in the process of applying for Limited Liability Company (LLC) in this blog. When you apply for LLC in Idaho state, the processwill start with you filing the Certificate of Organization with the Secretary of State, which costs around $120. It is the legal document that officially creates your LLC. In Idaho, you will get it in 7 to 10 business days if you file online, or in 2 to 3 weeks if you apply by mail. Consider paying extra for expedited processing if you need your LLC in the state faster. 

Idaho isgenerally a good state to apply for LLCin. This is because businesses get potential customers there, and in this state you just need to pay a few taxes, including the employment tax and federal taxes. However, unlike other states, you won’t have to pay extravagant annual charges when you applyfor LLC in Idaho. 

What is the Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse Registration? 

Being a secure online database that provides the State law enforcement officers, the State Driver Licensing Agencies (SDLAs), the FMCSA, and employers real-time updates about the people having commercial learner’s permit (CLP) and commercial driver’s license (CDL) who have violated the drug and alcohol program. Created by the FMCSA, the Drugand Alcohol Consortium attempts to improve safety by prohibitingdrivers from driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. You can learn more about it in this blog. 

The Clearinghouse was established by the Secretary of Transportation via an Act of Congress. It helps employers identify drivers who commit a violation of the drug and alcohol program, during their service to one employer, however, they don’t inform
another employer about this (as the current law requires them to). 

The Clearinghouse Rule mandates that service agents, third-party administrators/consortia TPAs/C), substance abuse professionals (SAPs), medical review officers (MROs), and FMCSA regulated employers are supposed to report to the Clearinghouse whatever information they have about the violations to drug and alcohol
regulations in 49 Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 382 and 40 by prospective
and current employees. 

The Bottom Line 

If you want to make sure your MCS-150 Biennial Updates get filed on time every two years, consider partneringwith a trusted trucking compliance company such as Compliance Service Bureau. We handle all your DOT filings and registrations for you with great attention to detail and care. Contact us NOW!